Excess Weight in Elderly Makes Daily Tasks Harder

From Reuters Health News...

Excess weight in elderly makes daily tasks harder

By Allison McCook

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older adults who are obese are more likely to develop problems with day-to-day activities, such as bathing, getting dressed, and going to the bathroom, a new study finds.

The more excess weight they are carrying, the more likely they are to report new disabilities, according to surveys of more than 20,000 adults 65 and older.

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Your Diet's Role in Controlling High Blood Pressure

By Lori Granich, RD, Clinical Dietitian at the Midwest Bariatric Institute

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. According to the CDC, 74 million people in the United States have high blood pressure. High blood pressure - also known as hypertension - is a condition of increased pressure in the arteries. It is a "silent" disease meaning that the patient usually does not know about the problem unless blood pressure measurements are done. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious medical problems such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.

Risk factors for high blood pressure are being overweight or obese, heavy alcohol consumption and inactive lifestyle. Other factors such as increasing age, gender, genetics and race, also increase the chance of developing high blood pressure. Some people develop high blood pressure because they are sensitive to high salt intake.

The first step to lowering blood pressure is changing your lifestyle. Losing weight, reducing salt intake, and increasing physical activity helps many people control their blood pressure.

Sodium is a mineral essential for good health. However, most Americans consume more sodium than is necessary. The average intake of sodium ranges from 5,000 to 10,000 milligrams per day. People with high blood pressure should typically be consuming around 2,300 milligrams per day (about 1 teaspoon). Sodium and salt do not mean the same thing. Sodium is a part of salt that can lead to health problems.

Sodium acts like a sponge in our body and holds fluid; therefore the more sodium you consume, the more fluid you retain. Fluid retention can result in edema, a condition where water accumulates in the body. Edema places strain on various parts of the body such as the heart, kidneys and blood vessels. This can contribute to high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney failure. To reduce risk, a reduced sodium intake is recommended.

To reduce salt in your diet, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, grains and fresh meats. Processed, convenience foods, and fast food restaurants are high in salt. Use fresh herbs and spices without salt to flavor foods. Do not use salt when preparing food and do no add salt to your food at the table. Use condiments sparingly such as catsup, barbeque sauce, soy sauce and relish. Buy low sodium varieties or limit to 1 tbsp per day. Read labels for ingredients containing sodium including baking soda, baking powder, sodium nitrate, and MSG (monosodium glutamate). When reading labels, keep in mind that less than 200 mg sodium is low, 200-400 mg sodium is medium and 400-600 mg is high. Remember the amount listed is for one serving, which may be more or less than you eat.

Pair these tips with a more active lifestyle and you are on your way to reducing your risk and/or better controlling your high blood pressure.

Nurses Trusted to Care - Nurses Week 2011

As National Nurses Week is noted today through May 12, we at the Midwest Bariatric Institute express our undying gratitude and admiration for the many acts of kindness, bravery, compassion and giving, especially during tough times, which are part of daily life for the nurses who serve our hospital. Their feats often go unheralded and are known only to them and the patients they serve so well.

Nurses are a backbone to our medical staffs; without their services, we could not exist. Their duties are many, their toils are steady. They see our patients through the best and worst times and often shed tears of joy, and sorrow, with them. Our nurses, in a word, are love. The Midwest Bariatric Institute honors them during their week, and appreciates what they do every week.

National Nurses Week celebrates the committment made by nurses to provide the highest quality of care. We honor all nurses who provide superior compassionate and joyful care for our patients. Every day you serve the needs of our community with skilled hands and hearts. Thank you.

Get Tickets Now for Speaking of Women's Health - May 12

Franciscan Alliance again will be among sponsors of Lakeshore Public Television's annual Speaking of Women's Health program May 12 at the Radisson at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

This year's theme is "Destination Wellness: Cruise to a Healthier Life."

Among its offerings, the daylong conference features nationally recognized speakers, breakout sessions led by local and national experts, health screenings provided by Franciscan Alliance hospitals, free samples and products, a catered lunch, and access to a massage therapist. A sampling of session topics includes heart health, financial preparation, menopause, skin care, beauty tips and fitness.

To purchase tickets, visit http://swh2011.eventbrite.com/.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.speakingofwomenshealth.com/.

Family Meals Might Help Kids Keep a Healthy Weight

From Reuters Health News...

Family meals might help kids keep a healthy weight

By Frederik Joelving

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Kids who sit down to eat with their families are less likely to be overweight and eat unhealthy foods, according to U.S. researchers who call for more shared meals.

In the first report to combine all existing studies on the issue, they found kids who eat with their parents at least three times a week had 12 percent lower odds of being overweight.

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The Truth About Fad Diets

By Lori Granich, RD, Clinical Dietitian at the Midwest Bariatric Institute

As the warm weather approaches, it's no doubt that you might be feeling the pressure to shed off some unwanted winter pounds. Most people inevitably turn to fad diets as a quick way to lose weight and who could blame you? With claims like, "Lose 30 pounds in 30 days," who wouldn’t want to try it out?

A fad diet is a diet that promises quick weight loss typically through an unbalanced diet. When researching any new eating plan, always think that if it sounds too good to be true, it typically is! Here are some red flags to look for before starting any health program.

• Diets that eliminate a food group. Our bodies need all of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat) for energy, growth and repair. Eliminating one of these groups put you at risk for nutritional deficiencies.
• Rapid weight loss. Slow, steady weight loss is more likely to stick than losing a large amount over a small period of time. When you lose a large amount of weight too rapidly, you are losing mostly water and muscle. Most people tend to gain all of the weight back and then some after stopping the diet.
• Specific food combinations. There is no evidence that combining certain foods or eating foods at specific times will help you burn more fat or calories.
• Eating only one type of food. Some popular diets promote only eating grapefruit or cabbage soup. These diets lack numerous vitamins and minerals that are essential to your body. You will lose weight due to the diet being low in calories, but these diets are too monotonous and unhealthy to stay on long term.
• No need to exercise. Regular physical activity is essential for your health. Be weary of any program that promises weight loss "while you sleep or watch TV." Making physical activity a regular part of your life has numerous benefits such as reducing or maintaining body weight, building healthy bones and muscles, reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure or diabetes and even improved sleep patterns.

To determine fact from fad, ask yourself:

• Does this diet promise quick weight loss?
• Does the diet help sell a company's product?
• Does the diet give lists of "good" and "bad' foods?

If you can answer "yes" to any of these, the diet is probably a fad diet.

Diet fads come and go, but the healthiest diets include whole grains, low-fat or fat free dairy, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Pairing a well-balanced diet with regular exercise will promote a healthier lifestyle. Make sure to only follow recommendations made by reputable organizations such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (made by the U.S.D.A) or work with a registered dietitian to create a realistic and sustainable meal plan.

Experts Back Weight-Loss Surgery to Combat Diabetes in Obese

From Reuters Health News...

Experts back surgery to combat diabetes in obese

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - A diabetes expert group backed the use of weight-loss surgery on Monday for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in severely obese patients.

According to a statement from the International Diabetes Federation, there is increasing evidence that the health of obese people with type 2 diabetes can benefit substantially from weight-loss surgery under some circumstances.

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